Listing Hobbies on a Resume: Pros and Cons
Whether including hobbies on a resume is a good idea has always been debated. While some experts argue that hobbies showcase your personality and interests, others believe they may not always be relevant to the job. So, before you add your hobbies to your resume, let's weigh the pros and cons. I’ll share my personal preference at the end.
Pros of Listing Hobbies on a Resume
Showcase your personality: Hobbies can help employers better understand your personality and interests. According to Harvard Business Review, people who display their interests and passions are perceived as more interesting, likable, and authentic (Cuddy, 2016).
Enhance your soft skills: Hobbies can also demonstrate transferable skills, such as adaptability, leadership, creativity, and problem-solving. For example, team sports might suggest that you are a team player, while hobbies like painting can show your creativity (Adams, 2020).
Fill gaps in your work history: If you have frequent gaps in your employment history, hobbies can effectively demonstrate your ongoing commitment to learning and improvement (Moran, 2017).
Connect with the interviewer: Listing hobbies can help you connect with the interviewer on a personal level as it provides common ground for discussion (Feige, 2015).
Align your interests to company culture: If the company you're applying to focuses on community involvement or charitable work, mentioning your volunteer work or other related hobbies can help showcase your compatibility with the organization's values (Sample, 2014).
Cons of Listing Hobbies on a Resume
Irrelevant or controversial hobbies: Listing hobbies unrelated to the job or considered controversial can harm your chances of landing an interview. (Welch, 2019).
Limited space on your resume: In most cases, you only have one or two pages to present your background and qualifications. It might be more valuable to prioritize your experience and education over adding hobbies that don't reinforce your qualifications (Glassdoor, 2018).
Possible distractions: Including hobbies on your resume can be a distraction if the hiring manager focuses on them instead of your qualifications.
When Should Hobbies Be Included on a Resume?
Considering the pros and cons, deciding when to include hobbies in your resume is crucial. Here are some situations where you might consider adding them:
If your hobbies are directly related to the job you're applying for or support the soft skills needed for the role.
When the company's values or culture align with your hobbies.
In situations where you're switching careers and need to illustrate transferable skills.
If you lack relevant experience, especially for entry-level positions where hobbies can showcase skills and attributes that might be lacking from work history.
According to experts, including hobbies on a resume can be a useful tool to showcase your personality, values, and skills. However, consider the relevance of your hobbies to the job you're applying for and ensure they don't detract from your qualifications. Reflect on the pros and cons, and use your best judgment to determine whether or not your hobbies belong on your resume.
Don’s take: There are three scenarios when you should include hobbies on your resume:
You are a new graduate with unrelated experience, and your hobbies can speak to your skills.
You are positioning yourself for a career change where your hobby experience relates to the target job.
You have a career gap that can be filled with hobbies like volunteer work to show you were active while away from the working world.
If you do not fall into one of these categories, leave hobbies off your resume. Pro tip: Include hobbies at the end of your LinkedIn About section.
References
Adams, S. (2020). Are Hobbies Good for Your Career? Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/annesugar/2021/03/31/how-creative-hobbies-can-fuel-your-business-success/
Cuddy, A.J.C. (2016). Bringing Your Whole Self to Work. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2020/07/parents-bring-your-whole-self-to-work
Glassdoor. (2018). Should You Include Hobbies on Your Resume? Glassdoor Blog. Retrieved from https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/should-you-include-hobbies-on-your-resume/
Moran, G. (2017). 5 Hobbies That Look Great On Your Resume. Fast Company. Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/40424779/5-hobbies-that-look-great-on-your-resume
Sample, Roope. (2014). 5 Hobbies That Can Give You an Edge in Your Career. Inc. Retrieved from https://www.inc.com/roope-heinila/5-hobbies-that-can-give-you-edge-in-your-career.html?cid=readmoressidebar
Welch, S. (2019). This Is What Hiring Managers Look for on a Resume. Inc. Retrieved from https://www.inc.com/shelley-prevost/how-hiring-managers-look-for-talent.html
